As we conclude Week 5 of a new academic year at St Greg’s is always transformative, affecting the body, mind, and spirit. One moment life is relatively serene as you enjoy the last days of summer holidays, and next you find yourself amid what can feel like complete chaos. This sentiment holds true for students and staff alike. The experience of the new year is vastly different for each year level. Having attended Year 8 Camp during Week 2, it is a clear reminder of the growth our boys experience during their education at St Greg’s.
Our Kindergarten classes began and are now firmly entrenched as St Greg’s students. Half days are over and the students, although tired, are doing so well. It was great to pop into the ‘Meet the Teacher’ afternoon on Wednesday and see just how much positive change and growth has already occurred with our youngest, special people.
Our Year 7s find themselves at the forefront of a radical change. Having ascended the ranks in primary school, they now face the challenges of starting anew, and they have risen to those challenges admirably. It was clear during our Commencement Mass that these boys have embraced St Gregory’s as a group. A number of staff commented, and I witnessed, Year 7s singing with great pride the Sub Tuum and other hymns at our Opening Mass, before singing again at Camp. Enjoy the wonderful video here
At the other end of the scale, our Year 12s are beginning their "long goodbye" to the College. Their return marked the final time they would come back to school from summer break, and throughout the year they will check off each school milestone as a last. It's a unique mix of emotions.
This also coupled with our Enrolment Information Nights for Kindergarten for 2025 and Year 7 2025/2026, which were held on Wednesday evening. Many families attended to hear from a number of members of the community, what is important to us as a Catholic, Marist community. It was a perfect lead into our College Open Day on Sunday 10 March.
Recent Events
The College has had a great start to the year. As well as some innovative teaching in class, there have been many opportunities to celebrate and come together as a community. These have included the 2023 High Achievers Assembly, Years 1-6 Meet the Teacher Evening, Art Attack Exhibition, the Senior School New Parent Welcome Evening, Year 10 and 11 Information Nights, Senior School Lunch on the Lawn, Year 9 launch of The Rite Journey, the Kangaroo Valley and Royal Canberra Shows, The Gordon Fetterplace Public Speaking Competition, Senior School Swimming Carnival and Junior School Swimming trials and Berg and Downie Shield Semi-Finals and Finals. All in a three-week period!
Primary School Visits
Over a two-week period, I was fortunate to attend 10 of our local Catholic primary schools to talk about the College and with some students, describe the opportunities available to students and families at the College. The students that attended with me, ranging from Years 8-10, were outstanding ambassadors for our community.
Cycle of Inquiry
In the coming months, the College will be undertaking a review, conducted by Marist Schools Australia. Parents, students, and staff will be asked to complete two surveys and there will be an opportunity for some families to be involved in meeting with the panel. This is an important process for the College and all of our community to take the time to acknowledge all the great things that we do, and to look at things we can get better at. I look forward with great interest to the findings and using them to develop a three-year strategic plan for 2025-2027, a period that includes our Centenary. More details to follow in the coming weeks.
May Mary Our Good Mother and St Marcellin continue to watch over our community.
Mr Matthew Brennan
College Principal K-12